Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis by class IV PHA synthases employing Ralstonia eutropha PHB(-)4 as host strain

Class IV polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase from Bacillus cereus YB-4 (PhaRC(YB4)) or B. megaterium NBRC15308(T) (PhaRC(Bm)) was expressed in Ralstonia eutropha PHB(-)4 to compare the ability to produce PHA and the substrate specificity of PhaRCs. PhaRC(YB4) produced significant amounts of PHA and had broader substrate specificity than PhaRC(Bm).     

Synthesis, pharmacophore modeling and in vitro activity of 10,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,f]oxepine-4-carboxamide derivatives as novel and potent antagonists of the prostaglandin EP4 receptor

The construction of a EP(4) antagonists pharmacophore model and the discovery of a highly potent oxepinic series of EP(4) antagonists is discussed. Compound 1a exhibits an excellent selectivity profile toward EP(2) receptor subtype and low cytochrome P450 inhibition potential.     

N-haloacetylimino neonicotinoids: potency and molecular recognition at the insect nicotinic receptor

This structure-activity relationship study for neonicotinoids with an N-haloacetylimino pharmacophore identifies several candidate compounds showing outstanding insecticidal potency and consequently leads to establishing their molecular recognition at an insect nicotinic receptor structural model, wherein the neonicotinoid halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine) variously interact with the receptor loops C-D interfacial niche via H-bonding and/or hydrophobic interactions.     

Stable genetic transformation of Larix gmelinii L. by particle bombardment of zygotic embryos

We report a new protocol for the stable transformation of Larix gmelinii. Thirty mature zygotic embryos precultured for 3 days on solid medium supplemented with benzyladenine were bombarded with plasmids pUC-GHG (GUS, HPT, and GFP genes) or pBI221-HPT (HPT and GUS genes). After a 2-month culture on selection medium, hygromycin-resistant calli appeared on the surfaces of the necrotic embryos. The frequencies of embryos with resistant calli were 18.4% and 17.4% in the transformations with pUC-GHG and pBI221-HPT DNA, respectively. More than 20 adventitious shoots formed from each of the transgenic calli. Of 17 elongated shoots selected for culturing on a rooting medium, five shoots rooted after 2 months. Expression of the GFP and GUS genes was detected in the resistant tissues by microscopic observations and by a histological GUS activity assay, respectively. PCR and Southern analysis confirmed the stable insertion of the introduced DNA into the genome.     

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding beta-amyrin synthase from petroleum plant Euphorbia tirucalli L

Euphorbia tirucalli L., known as the petroleum plant, produces a large amount of triterpenes, such as beta-amyrin. Degenerate RT-PCR based on the sequences conserved among known beta-amyrin synthases led to cloning of a putative triterpene synthase cDNA, EtAS, from leaves of E. tirucalli. The deduced amino acid sequence of the EtAS cDNA showed the highest identity of 82% to the Panax ginseng beta-amyrin synthase. Heterologous expression of the EtAS ORF in the methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, resulted in production of beta-amyrin, revealing that the EtAS cDNA codes for a beta-amyrin synthase. This is the first report of a gene involved in the triterpene synthetic pathway from Euphorbiaceae plants.     

Novel matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: generation of lead compounds by the in silico fragment-based approach

Generation of structurally new matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors was successfully carried out using an in silico technique. In order to identify the small fragment interacting with residues in the S1' pocket of MMP-1 through hydrogen bonds, we performed in silico screening using the LUDI program. As a result, acetyl-L-alanyl-(N-methyl)amide (Ac-L-Ala-NHMe) was selected to link with another fragment, hydroxamic acid that interacted with catalytic zinc. By this approach, the L-glutamic acid derivative 2b was discovered to be a new type of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor. Further transformation to reduce its peptidic nature and improve activity yielded nonpeptidic lead compounds as inhibitors of MMP-1, -2, -3, and -9.     

Induced synchrony in Cryptococcus neoformans after release from G2-arrest

Cryptococcus neoformans was grown first to OD 4 under moderate aeration, then diluted 2.5 times with fresh medium, and grown under limited aeration for 5 h. Oxygen concentration decreased from 5-6 mg l(-1) to 1.5 mg l(-1) 1 h after the shift to limited aeration, and remained at a similar level thereafter. In all the eleven strains examined the shift caused unbudded G(2)-arrest in more than half of the cells. In three strains more than 80% of the cells were arrested in unbudded G(2), and, therefore they were selected for synchrony experiments. After being shifted to extensive aeration again, the cells resumed growth by synchronous budding, followed by synchronous nuclear division. This method has turned out to be a good tool to prepare synchronized culture in C. neoformans, especially when a large amount of synchronized cells is needed. This is worthy of attention, since synchronous cultures after release from G(2)-arrest have not been reported yet in any yeast species.     

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mediated activation of cofilin phosphatase Slingshot and its role for insulin-induced membrane protrusion

Cofilin plays an essential role in actin filament dynamics and membrane protrusion in motile cells. Cofilin is inactivated by phosphorylation at Ser-3 by LIM kinase and reactivated by dephosphorylation by cofilin-phosphatase Slingshot (SSH). Although cofilin is dephosphorylated in response to various extracellular stimuli, signaling pathways regulating SSH activation and cofilin dephosphorylation have remained to be elucidated. Here we show that insulin stimulates the phosphatase activity of Slingshot-1L (SSH1L) and cofilin dephosphorylation in cultured cells, in a manner dependent on phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. Consistent with this, the level of Ser-3-phosphorylated cofilin is increased in PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted in chromosome 10)-overexpressing cells and decreased in PTEN-deficient cells. Insulin induced the accumulation of SSH1L and active Akt (a downstream effector of PI3K), together with a PI3K product phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate, onto membrane protrusions. Cofilin, but not Ser-3-phosphorylated cofilin, accumulated in membrane protrusions in insulin-stimulated cells, indicating that cofilin is dephosphorylated in these areas. Finally, suppression of SSH1L expression by RNA interference abolished insulin-induced cofilin dephosphorylation and the membrane protrusion. These findings suggest that SSH1L is activated downstream of PI3K and plays a critical role in insulin-induced membrane protrusion by dephosphorylating and activating cofilin.